Dishwasher



March 12, 1963 B. L. BRUCKEN 3,080,874

DISHWASHER Filed July 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

Byron Z. Bracken H15 ATTORNFY March 12, 1963 B. BRUCKEN DISHWASHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 27, 1959 INVENTOR Byron Z. Bra cken H13 arromwsy March 12, 1963 B. BRUCKEN 3,080,874

DISHWASHER Filed July 27, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent C) 3,080,874 DISHWASI-ER Byron L. Brucken, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed July 27, 1959, Ser. No. 829,695 9 Claims. (Cl. 134115) This invention relates to a domestic appliance and more particularly to an improved dishwashing machine.

One of the problems in the dishwashing art centers around the requirement for providing the dishes with a preliminary cleaning or scrapping prior to the dishwashing cycle. In present day practice, this procedure requires an additional waste disposer generally at the kitchen sink. Thus, dishes and-utensils to be washed must be transported first to the sink for scraping or preliminary cleaning and then to the dishwasher for the washing process. Further, the prior art is directed primarily to dishwashers which are designed for under-counter installation. This requires the operator thereof to bend over or stoop while loading the dishwashing apparatus. This invention is directed to overcoming these and other problems in the dishwashing art.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to combine a waste disposer with a dishwasher.

It is "another object of this invention to provide a dishwasher which may be mounted in an above-the-counter, on-the-wall position.

Another object of this invention is the provision of doors for a dishwashing cabinet which may be customer adapted for the desired pivotal movement.

It is another object of this invention to provide a dishwasher with a drain or diverter valve which is selectively positioned in response to the movement of the water distributing means for said dishwasher.

A more particular object of this invention is the provision of a vertically mounted spray tube for a wallmounted cabinet type dishwasher.

Another more specific object of this invention is the provision of a waste disposer operated by the selective rotation of said spray tube.

A still more specific object of this invention is the provision of a dishwasher having a disposer connected thereto and a spray tube having a comminuting impeller which is eflfective when said spray tube in rotated in one direction to comminute waste and which is elfective when said spray tube is operated in another direction to pump washing fluid to said spray tube.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a valve for a dishwasher which operates in response to the rotation of said spray tube to selectively direct water to said spray tube or to a drain.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view with parts broken away to show the wall-cabinet type dishwasher of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top elevational view of the dishwasher in FIGURE 1 shown built into a wall;

ice

the dishwasher with the doors in a French-door arrangement;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 with the doors in a slidably mounted leftward opening;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 with the doors in a slida-bly mounted rightward opening position;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 9-9 in FIGURE 2 to show the motor mounting arrangement for the dishwasher of this invention;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 1010 in FIGURE 9 to show the manner in which the spray tube is connected to the motor;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the spray tube and comminuting impeller arrangement of this invention;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIGURE 11 to show the rotationresponsive valve mounting arrangement with said spray tube; and

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged showing of a control dial suitable for use with this invention.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, a dishwasher 10 is comprised of a cabinet having a front opening 12, side Walls 14 and 16, a rear wall 18 and a bottom wall 20. The opening 12 is sealed in a conventional manner and closed by a pair of doors 22 and 24 operable by any suitable handles such as 26. This invention contemplates a mounting arrangement for the vertically pivoted doors 22 and 24 which provides for user preselection of the most desired or convenient hinging arrangement. This novel hinging arrangement is especially significant in a wall-mounted or above-the-counter dishwasher such as 10 and will be described more fully hereinafter.

For distributing water in the dishwashing chamber 28, a vertically mounted hollow spray tube 30 is provided. Spirally arranged on the spray tube are a plurality of slots or water distributing apertures 32 which communicate with the interior 83 of the tube. Thus, as the spray tube 30 is rotated, water issuing from the slots 32 will be effectively sprayed upon dishes 34 held in racks 35 positioned on the rear wall 18 of the dishwasher and on cups or glasses racks 36 carried by side walls 14 and 16. The close proximity of the vertical spray tube to the dishware in this wall-type dishwasher 10 eiiects a superior washing result to that accomplished in the conventional under-counter type. Further, wall space is frequently available to accommodate a dishwasher where floor space is not. It should be noted, however, that the dishwasher of this invention may also be installed on the counter or under the counter.

At the top of the dishwasher 10 and with reference to FIGURE 9, a motor housing 46 is carried by a top wall 40 of dishwasher 10. More particularly, the mounting arrangement is shown to include a shoulder 44 as an annular recess or inset in the top wall 40 of the dishwasher.

The motor housing 46 may be of a die cast material and includes a plurality of openings 50 to permit cooling air to reach a reversible motor 42. The housing or casting 46 includes four radially directed integral extension tabs or cars 52 which are nested in a similar number of shock absorbing mounts 48. To retain the tabs 52 and the shock absorbers 48 on the shoulder 44 of the dishwasher wall 40, four straps 54 are adapted to overlie the shock absorbed and the tab and to be fastened to the recessed shoulder 44 by any suitable fastening means such as bolts 56. The motor 42 includes a stator 58 which is press-fit into a notch or annular seat 60 in a depending cylindrical wall 62 of the housing 46. A press-fit is also used for a motor shaft bearing 64- which seats within a cylindrical retainer portion 66 of the housing 46. From the bearing 64 a motor shaft 68 projects downwardly and outwardly through an opening 70 in a shield or motor protector 38. The shield 38 serves to limit the ingress of water to the motor housing. At this point, the motor shaft 68 is within the dishwashing chamber 28 and the spray tube 30 is attached thereto as described next following.

With reference now to FIGURES 9 and 10, a flexible coupling assembly 72 is shown press-fit upon the lower end of motor shaft 63. The flexible coupling 72 has an outer cylindrical metal portion 74 with a plurality of bentover tabs 76 which cooperate with notches 78 in the top of the spray tube 39. An annular washer of resilient or shock absorbing material 80 lies between the outer cylinder 74 of the flexible coupling and the inner press-fit portion 71. This permits relative movement within the coupling and provides for a universal tolerance in aligning the spray tube 36 with the motor shaft 68. The spray tube has merely a sliding fit over the outer wall 74 of the flexible coupling. Thus, for maintenance and servicing the spray tube 60 may be dropped off of the coupling 72 simply by pulling the spray tube downwardly.

It should be apparent that a wall-mounted dishwasher may be placed in many positions within a kitchen, only some of which will be suitable for door opening in any one fixed pattern. For this purpose, this invention contemplates a door arrangement shown in FIGURES 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 which may be adaptable to any kitchen arrangement. For instance, FIGURE 6 shows a door arrangement whereby the doors open separately to each side of the dishwashing cabinet. FIGURE 7 shows the doors 22 and 24 pivotably connected to each other along one edge and with door 22 slidably mounted at one edge thereof to the dishwashing cabinet. On the other hand, FIGURE 8 shows the same arrangement with the door 22 fixed pivotally and with the door 24 pivoted to the door 22 and slidably connected at the other edge thereof to the dishwashing cabinet. The user may preselect any of the desired door openings at the time of original installation and a simple manipulation of the novel hinge arrangement of this invention is all that is needed.

The preselectable hinge arrangement will be described more particularly with reference to FIGURES l, 3 and 4. The dishwasher door 22 is formed with a top wall 90 and a bottom wall 92. These walls 90 and 92 may be formed by a bent-over portion of the front panel of door 22 as seen clearly in FIGURES 3 and 4. The opposite or left-hand door 24 is constructed in similar fashion so the description with reference to 22 should be considered identical to that for door 24. At the top and bottom corners of each door 22 and 24 are located hinge pivot assemblies shown generally at 94 in FIGURE 1, the bottom being an inverted copy of the top. The hinge pivot 94 includes a ferrule 96 attached to the top wall 90 of the door 22, a bolt portion 92 which is threadably engaged with the ferrule 96 and a lock nut 98 threadably engaged on said bolt 92. In this arrangement the bolt 92 may be threaded upwardly sufficiently to selectively engage either a pivot port 100 or a slide track 102. In FIGURE 3, for instance, the bolt 92 is shown in its upper position engaged with the port 100 and thus pivoting the door 22 about this point. The bottom pivot assembly 94 would, of course, be similarly positioned. FIGURE 4, on the other hand, shows the bolt 92 in its lower position and adapted thereby for slidable movement in the track 102 in order to effect the side opening position of FIGURE 7. The track 102 is molded or formed in a plastic or nylon piece 112 which is retained in a U-shaped inwardly bent portion 114 formed along the top of opening 12 in the front wall of the dishwasher 10. This track configuration thereby lies in juxtaposition to the top wall of the door 22 when the door is closed. When the user would like a French-door opening such as FIGURE 6, the bolts 92 at top and bottom of each door 22, 24 will be threaded into engagement with the ports 100. Thus,- the doors 22, 24 will be pivotally opened sidewardly. Where the user desires a folding door arrangement such as FIGURE 7 the bolt 92 is threaded downwardly out of engagement with port and into engagement with the track 1&2. At the same time, a pivot pin 103 is inserted between the edges of doors 22 and 24 so that the two doors are pivotally connected to each other. Then the bolt arrangement 94 for door 24 is positioned as in FIGURE 3. In this fashion the door 24 is pivoted to the dishwasher 10 while the door 22 is slidably connected to the dishwasher 1t) and pivotally connected to the door 24. If the arrangement of FIGURE 8 is desired, merely follow the reverse of the procedure described in connection with FIGURE 7.

A major concept of this invention is directed to the provision for a disposer in combination with a dishwashing apparatus. The concept, however, is not directed to the mere attachment of a conventional waste disposer to a conventional disposer, but to an arrangement whereby an impeller is utilized to selectively comminute waste or to pump water to a spray distributing device or to a drain. In this regard, reference may be had to FIGURE 11 wherein the bottom wall 29 of the dishwashing chamber 28 is shown with a recessed sump portion 120. The recessed portion 12% terminates in a turned-down collar or sump outlet 122 which underlies a plastic base portion 124 of a wire mesh strainer 126. The strainer 126 has a top wall 128 with a central opening 139 through which the spray tube 3% projects. A plurality of radially directed vanes 129 integral with the base 124 serve to support the top 28 and thus the screen or strainer portion 126. The strainer 126 is adapted for a raised position wherein spring tabs 132 on the spray tube 30 are adapted to cooperate with the opening 130 on the top wall 128 of the strainer. When the strainer is raised, the spring tabs 132 will releasably retain the strainer in a raised position, thereby removing the strainer from blocking obstruction of the outlet opening 122 rom the sump 12%. In this raised position waste material may be placed into the sump to be washed directly into the comminuting device. The strainer 126 has a normally seated position during a dishwashing operation and serves thereby to filter waste particles from the water being recirculated within the dishwashing chamber 28. However, when the device is used to comminute or disintegrate small Waste particles at the beginning or prior to a dishwashing cycle, the strainer 125 is raised so that the waste particles may fall through the sump outlet 122 into the comminuting arrangement as will be described more fully next following.

Beneath the recessed portion or sump 120, a comminuting and pump housing 136 is disposed. To retain the housing 136, a plurality of studs 133 may be fastened, as by welding, to the underside of the sump 120. The studs 138 then extend through a radially outwardly directed flange 140 on the comminuting housing 136. Interposed between the sump 129 and the housing 136 is an annular seal 14-2 which absorbs vibrations and noise as well as provides a water-tight fit between the comminuting and pump housing 136 and the dishwasher sump. Within the housing 136 and spaced therefrom is a shredder ring 144. The shredder ring 144- is formed shredding ring and the comminuting housing.

with .a central cylindrical collar 146 and an upstanding radially outwardly directed flange .148 which seats within the seal 142 to space. the shredding ring from the housing 136 and the sump 120. The collar 146 communicates with the hollow interior 33 of the spray tube to direct wash fluid thereto as will be understood more fully hereinafter. At the outerperipheral edge 147 of the annular cup-shaped shredder ring 144 are a plurality of apertures 150 through which all fluid and Waste flow when. leaving the dishwasher sump 120".

An impeller 152 is positioned within the shredder ring 144 and adapted with its outer edges in juxtaposition to the shredding apertures 158. The impeller 152 is carried by the spray tube 30 and fastened thereto as at 154 by any suitable means such as by welding. A cylindrical bearing of nylon or other suitable material is supported by the upstanding collar146 on the shredder ring. The bearing 156 has a top portion. 158 which cooperates with an annular shoulder 16% on the impeller. Thus, the bearing 156 takes the downward thrust of the spray tube 30, journals the tube for rotational movement and also serves to position the impeller 152 adjacent the shredding apertures 150. In addition to the spacing of the shredder ring 144 afforded by the seal 142, a plurality of radially directed vanes 168 are generally radially positioned between the shredder ring 144 and the comminuting and pump housing 136. Bent over tabs 1.45 on the vanes may be used for a weld attachment to the bottom of the shredder ring 144. These vanes serve to remove the centrifugal action or turbulence from the water thrown outwardly by the impeller 152 and convert the flow to a smoothly running condition. The housing 136 is formed with a generally conical bottom wall 164 which has a central opening 166 therein. Connected to this central opening is a drain conduit fitting 168 to which any suitable drain connection or conduit 170 may be connected. Thus, it should be seen that water or waste placed within the dishwashing chamber 28 will fall from the sump through the outlet opening 122 into the waste disposing shredder ring or cup 144. From this point, the waste and fluid will be forced radially outwardly through the shredding apertures 150 into the space 172 between the During this action the waste will be comminuted or reduced to fine particles by the interaction of the impeller blade tips and apertures 150. With the impeller 152 being rotated the comminuting housing serves as a centrifugal pump and water is forced outwardly into the passageway 172 between shredder ring 144 and the housing 136. In the passageway 172 the water will flow toward the drain conduit fitting 168 or to the spray tube 30, the flow being straightened and made more smooth by the presence of the stator vanes or baffles 160. The action of the impeller 152, is. comminuting waste or recirculating washing fluid, will be regulated by the action of a valve as- 'sembly shown generally at 174 (FIGURE 11) which operates in response to the rotation of spray tube 38 as will be described next following.

The function of the valve 174 is to selectively direct the output from the sump 128 either to the spray tube 30 during a dishwashing cycle or to the drain conduit fitting 168 during a waste disposing or drain cycle. In

view thereof the valve assembly includes a raised position shown in phantom line on FIGURE 11 wherein the passageway formed by the shredder ring collar 146 is blocked by the spray tube valve portion 176. Valve portion 182 which has a relatively coarse thread. A guide or retainer 188 is provided through which the thread 182 is adapted to move relatively. On the top of the guide 188 a piece of metal wire 198 or the like is affixed to form a thread which cooperates with the coarse threads of the screw 182 during relative rotational movement of spray tube and screw to cause the valve 174 to move up and down in response to the rotation of the spray tube 38. This, of course, requires that the guide 183 and nut 1% be held fixed axially relative to the spray tube 30. For this purpose, a pair of spring retainers 192 and 194- are inserted through diametrically opposite slots 184 and 186 in the spray tube. The guide 188 has a central gnoove or channel 193 of substantially the same width as the spring retainers 122 and 194. Thus, the spring retainers reside within the groove to retain the nut portion 196 in fixed axially relationship to the spray tube. It should now be seen that relative notational movement between the nut portion 198 and the screw 182 will cause the valve assembly 174 to move relatively to the guide 188.

Although the inertia of the valve assembly 174 could be used to hold the valve at rest during initial rotation of the spray tube 38, the valve portion 17 6 is provided with tabs 196 which engage adjacent stator vanes to pre vent rotation of the valve assembly 174. With this relationship and with reference to FIGURE 12, a counterclockwise rotation of the spray tube 30 will cause the screw 182 to thread itself upward to the phantom line position shown in FIGURE 11. Conversely, a clockwise rotation of the spray tube 36 will permit the screw 182 to thread itself downwardly into blocking engagement with the drain conduit outlet 180. During this relative movement of the valve assembly 174 and spray tube 30, the spring retainers 192, 194 and the guide 188 act as a clutch or torque limiting device. That is, when the valve portion 176 is in engagement with the bottom wall 144 of the shredder ring, the guide 188 will cease rotational movement relative to the thread 182 and rotate within the spring retainers 192, 194 so long asthe spray tube 30 is being rotated. The same type of valve action, of

course, will apply with regard to the valve portion 178.

seated on the drain outlet 18%). When the spray tube rotates in one direction, the drain opening is blocked while a reversal of rotation opens the drain. 'It should now be seen that an extremely simple valve has been devised whereby water is selectively directed to either the spray device or to drain in response to the rotational movement of a water distributing device.

With the foregoing components combined in the novel manner of this invention, a dishwasher 10 has been devised which is effective to dispose of the waste material found generally on soiled dishes. With this invention, it is not necessary to remove the dishes for scraping to a disposal area prior to the dishwashing cycle. The dishes may simply be placed within the dishwasher with the soil left thereon and the dishwas'hing cycle initiated. In operation, a combination dishwashing and disposing cycle will be accomplished as follows.

The dishwasher 10 is provided with a conventional timer mechanism 200 having a dial 282 seen more clearly in FIGURE 13. A complete cycle may consist of a dis posing or comminuting operation as indicated at 204 and a washing operation as indicated at 206 on the dial, the dishwashing cycle including conventional cycle portions of wash, rinse and dry. This invention also contemplates the use of the combination disposer and dishwasher 10 for a waste disposal or comminution operation alone. For this purpose, the disposing segment 204 of the timer dial 282 may be initiated as at 208 and concluded as at 210. However, where a dishwashing cycle is to include both the initial disposing cycle as well as the dishwashing cycle, an auxiliary switch 212 may be provided to override the stop point 210 and to cause continuous disposing and dishwashing operations.

In operation, the soiled dishes and utensils are removed to the dishwasher and the doors 22, 24 thereof opened to permit access to the dishwashing chamber 28. The dishes 34 are suspended in the racks 35 and the cups and glasses are generally contained in the racks 36 along", the side walls of the dishwasher 10. Prior to inserting the dishes and cups within the racks, the primary debris may be scraped into the sump 120. This is generally accomplished by raising the strainer 136 until it is retained in an upper position upon spring tabs 132. This permits clear passage for the waste and soil particles to fall into the comminuting housing 136 beneath the sump outlet 122. Note however that only the major soil need be placed directly into the comminuting housing itself. The minor soil may be left on the dishes and will be caught and retained by the strainer 126 since the strainer is again seated over the sump outlet 122 prior to initiating a dishwashing cycle. The dishwashing cycle will be initiated when the timer 200 controls a valve 216 to permit a How of water from a domestic water supply to a conduit 218 into the dishwashing chamber 28.

The first or disposing portion of the complete dishwashing cycle will find the motor 42 energized to cause the spray tube 30 to rotate counterclockwise (as viewed in FIGURE 12). In this direction of rotation, the valve assembly 174 will be placed in its raised position to prevent water from entering the hollow interior 33 of the spray tube 30. At the same time, and since the impeller 152 is attached to the spray tube 30, water will be pumped outwardly from the shredding ring along with the waste material scraped into the sump. The interaction of the impeller tip and shredding ring apertures 150 will effec tively comminute the waste which will then be pumped through the drain opening 180. After a predetermined period, approximately four or five minutes, the timer 206 will reverse the rotation of the motor 42 to cause the spray tube 30 to rotate in a clockwise water distributing direction. Water will continue to be admitted to the sump 120 for a timed interval by the energization of the valve 216 until the desired amount of washing fluid is placed within the dishwashing chamber 28. An automatic detergent dispensing operation may be accomplished at this time if desired. Next, the timer will deenergize the water valve 216. The motor 52 will continue to be energized for a period of dishwashing wherein the detergent placed within the dishwashing chamber and the washing fluid will be thoroughly distributed through the distributing ports 32 over the surface of the dishes and cups held in spaced relationship within the dishwashing chamber. The same impeller 152 which cooperated with the shredding apertures 150 during the disposing operation serves to pump and recirculate the cleansing fluid during the distribution period. Water will flow through the strainer 126 and the sump outlet 122 into the shredder ring 144 which then becomes a centrifugal pump housing. Water will be forced radially outwardly through the apertures 150 into the passageway 172. Turbulence at this point will be considerable and the stator vanes 160 positioned between the shredder ring 144 and the comminuting housing 136 serve to refine the turbulence into a smooth flow which is channeled thereby toward the collar 146 in the central portion of the shredder ring. Note that the clockwise rotation of the spray tube 36 has caused the screw 182 to rotate relatively to the nut 190 to cause a seating of the valve portion 173 over the drain outlet 180. Washing fluid is thus pumped upwardly into the hollow interior 33 of the spray tube 32 from which point it is sprayed outwardly. The washing cycle is terminated when the timer 2410 again reverses the motor 42 to cause counterclockwise rotation of the spray tube 30. As aforesaid, counterclockwise rotation is accompanied by a blocking of the spray tube by the valve portion 176. Soiled wash water is then directed through the drain conduit 168 to any convenient sanitary sewer. Note that the washing operation is subject to a continuous filtering op- '8 eration by the strainer 126. This is effective to eliminate the small portions of soil which were not comminuted during the initial disposing process. The strainer, of course, may be cleaned subsequent to the dishwashing cycle.

After one or more washing or water distributing cycles, the timer 200 initiates a rinsing procedure wherein the valve 216 is energized to permit the admission of clean water. After a timed fill period, the valve 216 is deenergized and the motor 42 energized in a clockwise spray tube direction to set up a rinse spray cycle. This is substantially the same as the washing procedure with the exception that detergent is omitted. With the motor 42 operating in one direction, the drain conduit will be covered and with the spray tube in reverse direction the water flow to the spray tube will be blocked. In view of the frequent reversals of the motor, it should be understood that the timer 200 will provide a pause interval to permit reenergization of the motor in a reverse direction.

After the rise cycle, any convenient drying cycle may be initiated. For instance, a heater (not shown) may be positioned within the dishwashing chamber and energized to aid in the drying of the dishes subsequent to the dishwashing cycle. After a timed drying period, the combination disposing and dishwashing cycle is terminated. The doors 22, 24 may be opened and the clean and dry dishes removed to a convenient storage place. However, note that the wall-mounted dishwasher 10 of this invention permits for easy storage within a raised easily accessible position within the dishwasher.

In addition to the combined disposing and dishwashing cycle described above, this invention contemplates simply a waste disposal conveniently accessible to the operator. In this respect, and with the doors 22 and 24 opened, any small amount of soil may be scraped into the sump with the strainer 126 held in its raised position. The timer 202 may be placed in position 203 to initiate the disposing operation. This establishes a water supply period wherein water is admitted through conduit 218 to flush the waste through the sump opening 122 into the comminuting housing 136. Valve 174 will be retained in a raised position to open the drain during the disposing operation. At the end of a timed period, the motor 42 will be deenergized to terminate the disposing operation as at point 210 on the timer dial 202.

It should now be seen that an improved dishwasher has been devised wherein a slim depth cabinet arrangement is adapted for wall hanging. This raised position eliminates stooping during loading operations and further provides for simplified dishwasher installation in positions otherwise inaccessible. Further, the costly and troublesome solenoid operated drain or diverter valve has been eliminated. In its place a simple valve has been provided which is responsive to motor operation within the appliance. This trouble-free valving arrangement eliminates the problems of flooding and of valve malfunction. Still further an appliance has been provided which will dispose of small amounts of soil remaining on dishware. In this way, a double function of scraping and washing has been eliminated. The device has been further improved in utilizing an impeller which when operated in one direc tion will comminute and which when operated in another direction will pump water in a dishwashing cycle. Lastly, and with an eye toward convenience in this novel improved appliance, the front opening doors thereof are provided with preselectable positioning. With the applicants invention the operator may achieve a French-door arrangement or slidably arranged side opening doors. Note further that the improved vertically mounted spray tube of this invention places the jets of cleansing water in close proximity to the soiled dishes placed thereabout. In this fashion, an improved dishwashing cycle is accomplished along in an apparatus that is simple, versatile and easy to service.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:-

1. A combination dishwasher and waste disposer com prising, a cabinet forming a dishwashing chamber, a vertical fluid spray tube in said cabinet having an inlet, and means for selectively, reversibly rotating said spray tube, said cabinet having a sump with a drain aperture therein, a waste disposing housing connected to said drain aperture, a shredder ring in said housing having a plurality of shredder apertures and a central passageway in series flow relationship with said spray tube inlet, a drain conduit leading from said disposing housing, a valve means movable responsive to said spray tube between a first posi tion closing said drain conduit and a second position closing said passageway, and an impeller rotatably carried by said spray tube within said shredder ring, said impeller being adapted to cooperate with said shredding apertures to comminute waste and drain said chamber when rotated in one direction with said valve means in said second position, and said impeller being adapted to pump said fluid to said spray tube when rotated in another direction with said valve means in said first position.

2. A dishwasher comprising, a cabinet forming a dishwashing chamber, a spray device in said chamber for distributing a fluid, a drain conduit from said chamber for draining said fluid, a valve means relatively movably connected to said spray device and movable responsive to said spray device between a first position wherein said fluid distributing is blocked and a second position wherein said fluid draining is blocked, and means for operating said spray device in one manner for distributing and in another manner for draining whereby said valve means is selectively moved into one of said positions in response to said operation.

3. A washing apparatus comprising, a cabinet forming a Washing chamber, a distributing device in said cabinet for distributing a fluid, a drain conduit from said cabinet for draining said fluid, a valve means connected to said distributing device and movable responsive to said distributing device between a first position wherein said distributing is suspended and a second position wherein said draining is suspended, and means for operating said distributing device in one manner for distributing and in another manner for draining whereby said valve means is selectively moved into one of said positions in response to said operation.

4. A dishwasher comprising, a cabinet forming a dishwashing chamber, a vertically mounted spray tube in said chamber having an inlet opening, a drain conduit from said chamber, a valve means carried by said spray tube and relatively movable therewith, said valve means movable responsive to said spray tube between a first position wherein said inlet opening is blocked and a second position wherein said drain conduit is blocked, and means for rotating said spray tube in one direction for dishwashing and in another direction for draining whereby said valve means is selectively moved into one of said positions in response to said rotation.

5. A combination dishwasher and waste disposer comprising, a cabinet forming a dishwashing chamber, a fluid spray tube in said cabinet, and means for selectively, reversibly rotating said spray tube, said cabinethaving a drain aperture therein, a waste disposing housing connected to said drain aperture, means in said housing for comminuting waste and having a passageway connected to said spray tube, a drain conduit lead-ing from said housing, a valve means actuated by said spray tube and movable between a first position closing said drain conduit when said spray tube is rotated in one direction and a second position closing said passageway when said spray tube is rotated in the other direction, and an impeller rotated by 10 to comminute waste, and when said spray tube is rotated in said one direction to pump said fluid to said spray tube.

6. A washing apparatus comprising, a cabinet forming a washing chambena fluid pump housing having a drain and an inlet connected to said chamber, rotatable impeller means in said housing, valve means in selective fluid flow blocking relationship with said drain and movable between a drain open position and a drain closed position in response to impeller rotation, and means for rotating said impeller in one direction to move said valve means to said drain closed position and to distribute said fluid in said washing chamber and in another direction to move said valve means to said drain open position and to pump said fluid to said drain.

7. In combination, a dishwasher having a cabinet enclosing a dishwashing chamber, a bottom wall for said chamber forming a sump, a pair of doors selectively pivotable to said cabinet, a hollow vertically mounted spray tube in said dishwashing chamber, a reversible motor for selectively rotating said spray tube and mounted in a top portion of said cabinet, said spray tube having an upper spray portion, a comminuting housing connected to said sump and having a shredder ring mounted in said housing, an impeller carried by said spray tube and cooperating with said shredder ring to comminute materials from said sump, a drain conduit leading from said comminuting housing, said shredder ring defining a central passageway connecting with the hollow portion of said spray tube, a valve member movable relatively to said spray tube and located between said central passageway and said drain conduit, said valve member movable responsive to the rotation of said spray tube, and means for controlling said motor to rotate said spray tube in one direction to cause said valve to close said drain conduit and in another direction to cause said valve to close said passageway, thereby to selectively operate said dishwasher in a dishwashing cycle or in a disposing cycle.

8. In combination, a dishwasher having a cabinet enclosing a dishwashing chamber, a bottom wall for said chamber forming a sump, a pair of vertically mounted doors selectively pivotable to said cabinet, a hollow vertically mounted spray tube in said dishwashing chamber, a reversible motor for selectively rotating said spray tube and mounted in a top portion of said cabinet, said spray tube having a valve assembly adjacent a lower portion thereof including a valve portion, a screw attached to said valve portion and a nut for said screw relatively rotatably attached to said spray tube but axially fixed to said tube, a comminuting housing connected to said sump and having a shredder ring mounted in said housing, an impeller carried by said spray tube and cooperating with said shredder ring to comminute materials from said sump, a drain conduit leading from said comminuting housing, said shredder ring defining a central passageway connecting with the hollow portion of said spray tube, said valve portion located between said central passageway and said drain conduit, and means for controlling said motor to rotate said spray tube in one direction to cause said screw to move downwardly relative to said nut to close said drain conduit and in another direction to cause said screw to move upwardly relative to said nut to close said passageway, thereby to selectively operate said dishwasher in a dishwashing cycle or in a disposing cycle.

9. A fluid distribution apparatus comprising, means forming a fluid distribution chamber, movable distributing means for distributing a fluid in said chamber, drain conduit means from said chamber for draining said fluid, valve means connected to said distributing means in cooperation vvith said drain conduit means and movable responsive to the motion of said distributing means between a first position wherein said distributing is suspended and a second position wherein said draining is suspended, and means for operating said distributing means in one manner for distributing and in another manner for draining wherebysaid valve means is selectively moved into one of said positions in respose to said operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lornax Jan. 23, 1945 McNeil-y Dec. 8, 1953 Smith Jan. 3, 1956 Casady July 17, 1956 Andrews Jan. 1, 1957 

9. A FLUID DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS COMPRISING, MEANS FORMING A FLUID DISTRIBUTION CHAMBER, MOVABLE DISTRIBUTING MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING A FLUID IN SAID CHAMBER, DRAIN CONDUIT MEANS FROM SAID CHAMBER FOR DRAINING SAID FLUID, VALVE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID DISTRIBUTING MEANS IN COOPERATION WITH SAID DRAIN CONDUIT MEANS AND MOVABLE RESPONSIVE TO THE MOTION OF SAID DISTRIBUTING MEANS BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN SAID DISTRIBUTING IS SUSPENDED AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN SAID DRAINING IS SUSPENDED, AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID DISTRIBUTING MEANS IN ONE MANNER FOR DISTRIBUTING AND IN ANOTHER MANNER FOR DRAINING WHEREBY SAID VALVE MEANS IS SELECTIVELY MOVED INTO ONE OF SAID POSITIONS IN RESPONSE TO SAID OPERATION. 